What happened on Day 1 of the 1st India vs Australia BGT 2024-25 Test in Perth?
A total of 17 wickets fell on an action-packed Day 1 of the first Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 Test between India and Australia in Perth on Friday, November 22. Batting first after winning the toss, India folded up for 150 in 49.4 overs. The visitors, however, made a sensational comeback with the ball to reduce the Aussies to 67-7 by stumps on what was an enthralling Day 1 in Perth, living up to all the hype.
Having bundled out India cheaply, Australia would have been hoping for a significant first-innings lead. Instead, stand-in Indian captain Jasprit Bumrah (4-17) rocked them with three early wickets before returning towards the end of the day's play to dismiss his opposite number Pat Cummins for 3.
Bumrah got India the early breakthrough by trapping Aussie debutant Nathan McSweeney (10) LBW with one then came back in. The visitors used the DRS smartly to get the decision in their favor. The Indian skipper then got Usman Khawaja (8) to edge one, bowling a tight line from around the wicket. Bumrah had two in two when Steve Smith (0) shuffled across and was trapped LBW.
Debutant Harshit Rana (1-33) ensured Travis Head (11) did not trouble India this time, knocking him over with a quick delivery from around the stumps. Australia were five down for 38 when Mitchell Marsh (6) nicked one from Mohammed Siraj (2-17) and KL Rahul took an excellent low catch at third slip.
Amid the carnage, Marnus Labuschagne hung around for 52 balls but scored only two. He was even dropped by Virat Kohli early in his innings. Labuschagne eventually perished to Siraj, trapped LBW before by a full and straight one as he looked to work a delivery to the on side. Bumrah then had his fourth as Cummins was caught behind with a full delivery that angled into off stump.
Hazlewood claims four as India's batting crumbles in Perth
Earlier in the day, India came up with another poor batting show to fold up for 150. Yashasvi Jaiswal perished without scoring as he edged a drive off Mitchell Starc (2-14) to gully. Devdutt Padikkal registered a 23-ball duck. The left-hander's struggle ended when he nicked Josh Hazlewood (4-29) to the keeper. Kohli's (5) woeful form continued as he fended a rising delivery from Hazlewood to first slip.
Rahul (26 off 74) showed excellent resolve and technique but was caught behind in a controversial fashion. Replays showed the bat hitting the pads, but the ball was also close to the bat. There was a spike and the third umpire concluded that it was an edge, leaving many experts and fans stunned.
Dhruv Jurel (11) fell early in the second session, caught at second slip off Marsh, while Washington Sundar (4) tentatively guided one off the same bowler to the Australian keeper. Rishabh Pant (37) and debutant Nitish Kumar Reddy (41) lifted India with a seventh-wicket stand of 48. The latter was particularly impressive with his assertive stroke play before perishing to the pull against Cummins.